HERO
Manning Bowl III was upstaged by, of all people, Knowshon Moreno. The former first-round pick — a Monmouth County native — came in as an afterthought in Denver’s crowded backfield, but the Giants will remember his name for awhile after Moreno embarrassed them with TD runs of 20 and 25 yards to highlight a 13-carry, 93-yard day.
UNSUNG HERO
Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a familiar face to the Giants from his previous two seasons with the rival Eagles, continued a budding career resurgence in Denver with an interception, two pass breakups and five tackles. Thanks to Rodgers-Cromartie, the Broncos didn’t miss a beat without injured All-Pro corner Champ Bailey.
ZERO
Although Eli Manning’s four interceptions were ugly, it’s now safe to send out that missing-persons report on Jason Pierre-Paul. The Giants’ centerpiece defensive end was nowhere to be found once again, finishing with just one tackle and continuing the mysterious disappearing act that began last year. Is his back still not right?
KEY STAT
1-for-11: Giants’ hideous conversion rate on third down. Of course, that can tend to happen when your running backs are averaging a combined 1.2 yards per carry (23 yards on 19 attempts).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We’ve been 0-2 before and been able to fight our way out of it.”
— Tom Coughlin, noting the Giants also lost their first two games in 2007 and rebounded to win the Super Bowl